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An Australian husband and wife team have successfully set a new e-bike long distance world record and continue to push the kilometres higher as they pedal their way around Europe. Gary and Rachel Corbett, also known as the E-Bike Cycle Tourists, surpassed the old record of 16,047kms (9971 miles) after 220 days of cycling at an average of about 75km a day. Beginning their world-record attempt in late April, they pedalled out of London, riding for 901 hours across 12 countries to hit their target on January 20, 2016 in the Algarve region of Portugal.

A 28km section of rail trail through spectacular countryside north-east of Launceston has officially opened to the public, with extension plans already in the pipeline. The North East Rail Trail, which runs between Scottsdale and Billycock Hill in Tasmania, opened to a crowd of about 200 people on November 29, 2015.

It's the most ambitious bicycle infrastructure project ever envisaged: a floating cycle and pedestrian way curving its way down London's Thames River. But engineering feats aside, what makes the proposal most remarkable is that it will be fully funded and built without government assistance – its private investors believe cyclists are prepared to pay to use a safe, fast and green cycling expressway.

One quarter of all trips made into Melbourne's city centre during morning peak hours will be made by bicycle by the year 2020, according to a new city council target. To meet the target set out in the new Draft Bicycle Plan 2016-2020, the City of Melbourne said Thursday it would extend the city's bicycle network by creating new routes and key connections. This would improve cycling safety and accessibility and encourage more people to ride.

While there has been a number of trials in progress around the country, it's official – South Australia has become the first Australian state to make the 'meter matters' rule permanent. Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Stephen Mullighan said the 'One Metre Rule' – designed to reduce the number of accidents between vehicles and cyclists – would provide a clear definition of the distance vehicles are required to keep from cyclists.

The campaign to develop a rail trail on the NSW north coast has taken on renewed hopes after the ambitious project missed out on securing state government funding earlier this year. However, under the revised plan – viewed as stage one of the project – development of the section of trail through Byron Bay and Casino will be put on ice.

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has become the latest region of Australia to introduce a minimum safe passing distance for cyclists in an effort to reduce cycling fatalities and injuries on our roads. From November 1, 2015, the ACT will begin a two-year trial of what has become known as the 'metre matters' laws. Under the trial, all motorists driving at speeds of up to 60km/h will be required to leave a space of one metre when overtaking cyclists, or a space of 1.5 metres when driving above that speed. ACT Minister for Justice, Shane Rattenbury said the ‘metre matters’ laws have already achieved success in Queensland, where the trial is working well, and also in South Australia, where the laws will be introduced soon.

The O'Keefe Rail Trail in rural Victoria is expected to receive funding towards a feasibility study into extending it even closer toward Melbourne, a local news group has reported. The O'Keefe – a crushed granite trail which starts in the historical gold town of Bendigo and runs southeast for 50km to Heathcote, was completed in May 2015.

After having sold out across the country, the new model Vivente World Randonneur touring bikes have hit the stores with an expanded line-up and a couple of notable modifications. Building on the significant developments of 2014 when the World Randonneur range was split into four distinct models, a further two models have been added, boosting the total to six. All models revolve around the same Vivente World Randonneur chromoly steel touring frame but feature different gear, brake and handlebar set-ups.

Cycle Traveller is the online bicycle touring blog for routes, maps, resources and news about cycling around Australia. Be inspired, connect with other cyclists and plan your adventure! Founded in 2012, the Cycle Traveller community is continually growing. If you have a story to tell, information to share or a question to ask, please contact us. You can share information via our forum, or send us an email. Happy riding!